WIPO Welcomes Contribution by Japan

Geneva, June 11, 1999
Press Releases PR/1999/176

The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Dr. Kamil Idris, has warmly welcomed the contribution by the Government of Japan to WIPO in the form of Funds-in-Trust for cooperation for development in countries of Asia and the Pacific region for the period covering April 1, 1999 to March 31, 2000. The amount - 230,350,000 Japanese yen (approximately 2.86 million Swiss francs) - represents a substantial increase in the Japanese government's annual voluntary contribution which is earmarked for assistance to developing countries. This contribution, in addition to WIPO's own budget for its cooperation for development program, will enhance efforts to promote and strengthen national intellectual property systems in the Asia-Pacific region.

"I am heartened by the Japanese government's announcement to almost double its annual voluntary contribution to WIPO Funds-in-Trust for cooperation for development in the area of intellectual property. It is truly a mark of generosity, foresightedness, and concern," Dr. Idris said. He added "This is not only a sign of Tokyo's commitment to assist developing countries in strengthening their national intellectual property infrastructures, but also shows the confidence that Japan places in WIPO." Dr. Idris pointed out that an effective intellectual property is a crucial tool in spurring economic, social and cultural development.

The contribution to activities relating to industrial property for the period covering April 1999 to March 2000 amounts to 178,213,000 Japanese yen (some 2.3 million Swiss francs). In the 1998 fiscal year, Japan donated 92,660,000 Japanese yen (approximately 1 million Swiss francs). The fund is based on an arrangement between the Government of Japan and WIPO which is reviewed annually. Managed by WIPO, it provides resources for activities carried out by the Organization for the benefit of developing countries in Asia and the Pacific region.

Japan first set up this fund in April 1987, when Tokyo made a contribution of 30,840,000 Japanese yen (316,795 Swiss francs). Since then the Funds-in-Trust scheme has shown significant growth both in quantitative and in qualitative terms, in line with the growing need to assist developing countries in the modernization and reinforcement of their industrial property systems.

The Funds-in-Trust program is designed to raise awareness of industrial property issues at the regional level among both policy makers and specialists and to promote the modernization of national intellectual property systems in the region. The program offers legal-technical advice, practical assistance in the installation and use of computer hardware and software, professional training and a fellowship program for those involved in industrial property teaching or training activities in developing countries of the region.

The program will be further enhanced in coming months, particularly in the fields of information technology and the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Emphasis will continue to be placed on human resource development within the field of industrial property.

Also, the government of Japan announced that it will increase its annual contribution to the WIPO Funds-in-Trust for activities in the field of copyright and neighboring rights from 28,820,000 Japanese yen (355,794 Swiss francs) in April 1998 - March 1999 to 52,137,000 Japanese yen (585,807 Swiss francs) for April 1999 - March 2000. This fund covers activities designed to promote economic and cultural development within developing countries of Asia and the Pacific region through the establishment and enhancement of infrastructure for the protection of copyright and related rights.

For further information, please contact Mr. N. K. Sabharwal, Director, Cooperation for Development Bureau for Asia and the Pacific at WIPO: